Even though I have a technical background, I’m a Luddite. My cell phone, for example, was probably made in a previous century. So it’s exciting to discover two related publications that sing the praises of low-tech and no-tech.

The first is http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/, which “refuses to assume that every problem has a high-tech solution.” One recent article explores how the use of stationary bicycles to generate power, not simply electricity at the gym. “If we boost the research on pedal powered technology – trying to make up for seven decades of lost opportunities – and steer it in the right direction, pedals and cranks could make an important contribution to running a post-carbon society that maintains many of the comforts of a modern life.”

The site also has a section called Ecotech Myths. One article there explores how the electric cars of a hundred years ago have the same range—or even better—than today’s high-tech marvels.

Over at http://www.notechmagazine.com/, where their motto is “We believe in progress and technology,” they cover a fascinating range of topics. Two that caught my eye explore old and new ways to store food without a refrigerator—like people did in the good ol’ days. (But the articles didn’t explain how to keep my frozen veggie burgers from thawing.)

However, my favorite article there was not environmental per se. Instead, it describes an ancient practice that ensured good government—the castration of men who went into public service. The article praises the advantages of eunuchs, used to protect harems and provide secretarial services as long as 3000 years ago, and which served in the early Greek and Roman governments and even the Chinese Han Dynasty. “Less susceptible than other men to corruption and persuasion by sexual means, they were the ideal politicians and civil servants.”

Although the early Christian church opposed castration, the Eastern Roman (i.e., Byzantine) empire based in Constantinople/Istanbul thrived on “eunuch power” for centuries. “Thousands of young men entered public service by being castrated, providing the empire with some of its most distinguished state secretaries, generals and even Church leaders.”

Just imagine if that practice was still in place today. No love child from John Edwards. No tawdry affairs by Herman Cain. Doesn’t “Vote for Newt the Eunuch” have a nice ring to it?